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Profession: Public Health

Epidemiologist: Epidemiologists work to understand the causes of disease and ways to prevent or control it. Understanding an epidemic means knowing how a given disease works inside the body, how it passes between people, and how it can move through a community. Epidemiologists also work to reduce or even prevent epidemics when they can. They use academic methods, such as statistics, demography and scientific research, as well as community-based approaches, such as vaccination programs and educational campaigns to help people stay healthy.

Salary Range: $35,490 - $117,520

Salary Notes: Salary is dependent upon educational level and place of employment. The average salary ranges from $44,830 - $88,130. Experienced epidemiologists can earn up to $117,520 per year, depending upon experience.

Where you can study:
Boston University, Boston, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
University at Albany, SUNY, School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Yale University, New Haven, CT

Where you might work:
Health Departments (Federal, State, Local) - Medical Corporations - Research Organizations - Universities -

Job Outlook: Infectious diseases continue to pose a threat to public health and chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer have become more prevalent. Therefore, the demand for epidemiologists will likely be high for the foreseeable future.

Education, Licensing and Certification: Candidates for study in epidemiology should have a strong math and science focus in high school. Undergraduate study might include biology, microbiology, or public health, followed by a Master of Science program and/or a Ph.D. program in epidemiology. Another route is to earn a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.), followed by a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology.

There are no graduate epidemiology programs available in Vermont or through the New England Regional Student Program. Schools in New England that do have such programs are listed above.

Professional Organizations:
American College of Epidemiology 919-861-5573 www.acepidemiology.org
American Public Health Association 202-777-APHA www.apha.org
Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology 202-789-1890 www.apic.org
International Clinical Epidemiology Network 215-735-8170 www.inclen.org